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Seeing them together was surreal. Aside from the function where they first met, she had never seen Roth with her family members. Her worlds were colliding, and she didn’t like it.
Lyle’s jaw was clenched, and his eyes were fixed on Roth who showed no outward signs of anger or distress.
“Congratulations,” Roth said to Colette who managed to look regal even an hour after giving birth. Her back was ramrod straight, and even without makeup, she was a knockout.
“Thank you,” Colette said and glanced at Jasmine as she said, “It sounds like congratulations are in order for you as well.”
“Thank you.”
Their awkward, overly polite chitchat made her want to squirm. Roth showed no signs that he was uncomfortable with the tension in the room. He walked toward her. He didn’t try to get a look at the baby or even fake interest in Polara. Men, in general, weren’t known to fuss over babies, but now she knew Roth didn’t care for children at all. It was an unfortunate moment for her to remember his vasectomy when he held a hand out to her. Bastard.
She ignored his outstretched hand and went to Colette’s bedside to ooh and aah over Polara as she yawned. When she glanced up, she saw Lyle and Colette watching her closely and inwardly cursed. She reached back, and his beefy hand closed around hers.
“When’s the wedding?” Lyle asked curtly.
“We still have some details to iron out. We’ll keep you posted,” Roth said as he ran his hand down her back and then gripped her hip. “We have to get going. I have some meetings to get to.”
Colette nodded. “Keep us posted.”
“Auntie’s gonna see you later this week, okay?” she cooed to Polara before she hugged Colette and Ariana.
“Call me if you need anything,” Lyle said as she kissed his cheek.
She nodded and inwardly bristled when Roth grasped her hand and led her into the hallway, away from the prying eyes of her family. He called Mo and told him to bring the car around. Even though the hallways were crowded, Roth easily cleared a path. She walked by his side, staring straight ahead. It was done. She had agreed, and her family was on board. A heavy weight sat on her chest. It was the same sensation she had after her father died.
“What did your sisters say?” he rumbled.
“You were right. They asked some questions, but they wanted to believe, so they did.”
“Good.”
“You’re good at predicting people’s reactions,” she said.
“It’s part of my job.”
“You knew I’d agree,” she said.
“Yes.”
When she tried to slip her hand from his, he tightened his hold.
“Let me go, Roth.”
“No.”
He pulled her out of the hospital. Reliable Mo was at the curb. He paused in the act of getting out of the driver’s seat when Roth opened the door for her. She climbed in and watched him come around to the opposite side. Why didn’t he sit in the front?
“Park Avenue,” he said to Mo before he closed the door.
“I want to be dropped off at my hotel,” she said. She needed a dark room and to slip under the covers and forget what she had agreed to.
“No.”
She whipped her head around to find Roth watching her. “You can’t tell me no. I still have a few weeks of freedom left.”
“You agreed verbally, but you have to sign.”
“Not until my attorney looks at it.”
